Method of curing composite articles using conformable vacuum bags

Abstract

A method of curing a lay-up of a composite article in an autoclave, the method including a silicone rubber sheet which conforms to the lay-up thus preventing bridging of the sheet and reducing the possibility of tearing of the sheet.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method of curing a lay-up of a composite article in an autoclave, said method comprising: face positioning said lay-up onto tooling supporting said lay-upon a first surface thereof;   coating a second surface of the lay-up with a releasing material;   applying a coat of silicone rubber to erasing material on said second surface;   curing said silicone rubber into a flexible sheet on the releasing material on said second surface, thereby creating an impression of the second surface in the sheet;   sealing all edges of the sheet to the tooling, said tooling and said sheet thereby forming a envelope about the lay-up, said tooling, sheet and lay-up comprising an assembly;   evacuating any gases from within the envelope to provide a vacuum therein; and,   placing said assembly into said autoclave and subjecting said lay-up to a pressure and temperature at which the lay-up cures.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 wherein the tooling includes means for evacuating said gases from said envelope. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of applying a coat of silicone rubber to the releasing material on said second surface includes applying a first layer of silicone rubber to the releasing material on the second surface, laying reinforcing fibers onto said first layer, and applying a second layer of silicone rubber over the first layer and the fibers thereon.   
     
     
       4. The method of claim 3 wherein the reinforcing fibers are made of glass. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of applying a coat of silicone rubber to the releasing material on said second surface is accomplished by spraying said silicone rubber onto the releasing material on said second surface.